Flag of Iraqi Kurdistan

History

The Flag of Kurdistan first appeared during the movement for Kurdish independence from the Ottoman Empire, and is the official flag of the autonomous Kurdistan Region in Iraq, which is under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government. [0]

Meaning

The main characteristic of the flag is the blazing golden sun emblem (called a Roj) at its center. The emblem's sun disk has 21 rays, equal in size and shape, with the single odd ray at top and the two even rays on the bottom. Number 21 is a venerated number, standing for rebirth/renaissance in the ancient and native Kurdish religion of Yazdanism and its modern offshoots.

The symbolism of the colors is: red for the blood of the martyrs of Kurdistan, and the continued struggle for freedom; green for Kurdistan's nature, mountains, life and vitality; yellow for bright and freedom; and white for peace, freedom, and equality. [0]